Matt Robinson is a London based pianist, composer and improviser, working primarily in jazz and contemporary music. Matt performs regularly around the UK as well as writing music for several of his own projects. Matt’s group recently performed at the BBC Proms Lates, which was later broadcast on Radio 3, and were featured on the Yamaha New Jazz Sessions CD on the cover of Jazzwise magazine.
Matt grew up in Wakefield and began studying piano from an early age. Introduced to jazz through school and the local jazz club, he began performing with the Doncaster Jazz Association and took lessons with Jamil Sheriff in Leeds.
Since moving to London in 2008, Matt studied at the Royal Academy of Music with Tom Cawley, Nikki Iles, Liam Noble and Gwilym Simcock. He was awarded the Edwin Samuel Dove prize and a Yamaha Jazz Scholarship upon graduation.
As well as forming a quintet and a trio with some amazing musicians and friends, Matt has been lucky enough to work with some inspiring performers such as Stan Sulzmann, Jim Hart and Josh Arcoleo. In September 2011, he was invited to be part of the Worshipful Company of Musicians Annual Jazz Medal event, held at the Pizza Express Jazz Club. In the summer of 2012, Matt’s group performed as part of the Proms Plus Late series at the Royal Albert Hall, also broadcast on BBC Radio 3. Matt is also featured on singer Emma Smith‘s debut album The Huntress, released in February 2012, as well as upcoming albums with Reuben Fowler and Ollie Howell.
Over the past few years, Matt has also worked on collaborative project entitled 15 Images with composer Nigel Morgan, textile artist Alice Fox and software designer Phil Legard combining visualisations, created from textile pieces, with a digitally notated score.